Abstract Objective: Studies focusing on bone and joint infections (BJIs) in young infants are rare. Some cases of BJI are accompanied by sepsis. This study aimed to identify the clinical and bacteriological features of sepsis in neonates and young infants with BJIs. Methods: Neonates and infants younger than 3 months diagnosed with BJI in the present institution from 2014 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, clinical data, and outcomes were documented and compared between those with and without sepsis. Results: Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 34.8 days were included. Nine BJI cases had concomitant sepsis (group A), and 16 had BJI without sepsis (group B). Within group A, staphylococcus aureus was the major pathogenic germ (5 cases, of which 4 were of the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) type). There was no statistical difference in male-to-female ratio, age, history of hospitalization, anemia, birth asphyxia, peripheral leukocyte counts, C-reactive protein on admission, and sequelae between groups. Univariate analyses indicated a significant difference in the incidence of septic arthritis (SA) combined with osteomyelitis (OM) (88.9% vs 37.5%), congenital deformities (44.4% vs 0%), and mean duration of symptoms (2.83 days vs 9.21 days) in comparisons between groups A and B. Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus is the main pathogenic bacteria in BJI cases complicated with sepsis in neonates and young infants. Among infants younger than 3 months diagnosed with BJI, those with concurrent SA and OM, MRSA infection, or congenital deformities are more likely to develop sepsis. Objective BJIs (BJIs rare Methods 201 202 reviewed characteristics data Results Twentyfive Twenty five 348 34 8 34. included , A) 1 B . B) 5 ( methicillinresistant methicillin resistant (MRSA type. type type) maletofemale male female ratio hospitalization anemia asphyxia counts Creactive C reactive admission (SA OM (OM 88.9% 889 88 9 (88.9 37.5%, 375 37.5% 37 37.5%) 44.4% 444 44 (44.4 0%, 0 0% 0%) 2.83 283 2 83 (2.8 921 21 9.2 Conclusion infection 20 88.9 (88. 37.5 44.4 (44. 2.8 28 (2. 92 9. 88. (88 37. 44. (44 2. (2 (8 (4

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia in humans and confers a significantly increased risk for thromboembolic stroke, congestive heart failure and premature death. Aggregating evidence emphasizes the predominant genetic defects underpinning AF and an increasing number of deleterious variations in more than 50 genes have been involved in the pathogenesis of AF. Nevertheless, the genetic basis underlying AF remains incompletely understood. In the current research, by whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing analysis in a family with autosomal-dominant AF and congenital patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a novel heterozygous variation in the PRRX1 gene encoding a homeobox transcription factor critical for cardiovascular development, NM_022716.4:c.373G>T;p.(Glu125*), was identified to be in co-segregation with AF and PDA in the whole family. The truncating variation was not detected in 306 unrelated healthy individuals employed as controls. Quantitative biological measurements with a reporter gene analysis system revealed that the Glu125*-mutant PRRX1 protein failed to transactivate its downstream target genes SHOX2 and ISL1, two genes that have been causally linked to AF. Conclusively, the present study firstly links PRRX1 loss-of-function variation to AF and PDA, suggesting that AF and PDA share a common abnormal developmental basis in a proportion of cases.

Abstract Study on the effects and mechanisms of different oils on spatial learning and memory in developing rats. Fifty-six Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with primary weaning were randomly divided into the 7 groups, DHA, walnut oil, perilla oil, safflower seed oil, α-linoleic acid, and Essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient and negative control. Morris water maze behavioral test was performed after 8 weeks of continuous feeding. Real-time fluorescence quantification and immunoblotting were performed to evaluate changes in the expression of NR1, CREB and c-Fos in rat hippocampus, qPCR detected the expression in hippocampal cells. The results showed that the rats fed various oils significant improvement in the Morris water maze test. The mRNA expression of NR1, CREB and c-Fos in the hippocampus of rats fed with various oils were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05 and P<0.01), and CREB and c-Fos proteins expression were up-regulated (P<0.05). The expression of genes and proteins in hippocampus of EFA-deficient control was not significantly different from negative control. It is suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids could significantly improve the learning and memory ability of rats, which may be through regulating the mRNA expression of cfos, CREB and NR1 in rat hippocampus and the synthesis of CREB and c-Fos proteins.